Solar Panels

[A Party of Five]

We are really keen to get solar panels on our roof but don't know where to start.

Has anyone done this? What was a cost thereabouts? What power source did you use it for (e.g. hot water or power?)

Thanks heaps, Angela :bee:

[deme]

We have just installed a 1 KW PV system which will produce about 4kwh/day. My husband is an electrician and has just started doing solar installs. I think the first step to take is to try to reduce your power consumption to as a little as possible, change to fluro's, turn appliances off ,not just on standby, when not needed. Installing a solar hot water system is a big one as electric ones use heaps of power. Next, take a look at your power bill and see how many kwh you are using per day, this will give you a rough idea of the system size you will need. Work out how much you want to spend, they are expensive, but worth it. If you earn under $100000 a year you should be entitled to the rebate of max $8000.
Hope that is a start for you. If you have any questions don't hesitate to ask because I can probably give you lots of info via hubby.

Manda

[A Party of Five]

If you have any questions don't hesitate to ask because I can probably give you lots of info via hubby

Thanks heaps Manda I'm sure my DH will have some questions :yes:

[ogilberry]

well i have been doing heaps of research and have come across Simply Solar here in brisbane whom were super helpful the guy was so nice. The guy Dave explained everything including the rebates, how it works how to set the booster for when it isnt heating over 26 degrees i think is the temp dont quote me hehe... i thought you had to have the two panels but he said nope not with the amount of people in your home you only need the one which i thought was great he was honest and didnt try to rip me off...there is this thing called a booster that goes in them so when the sun isnt doing its job this thing kicks in.

It was heaps cheaper than i thought it would be as you get a rebate back from the government and there is also some sort of local rebate depending on where you lived so im not sure if i qualify for that or not...am i allowed to say the price on here or not ...soon find out he told me was only about $2400 which when you think of the price to put in a new gas one a few hundred more and is heaps cheaper to run.

i also didnt realise that your gas hot water system equates to over 30% or more depending on the one you have to your electricity bill (well dur it has to run all day 24/7 to keep the water hot hehe how could i have not known) so i guess this will pay itself off in no time..

i found simply solar by googling them but happy to pass on this guys details to others if anyone is thinking of it also..

i am getting mine put in in about just over a months time so ill report back to let you know how it all went...hopefully good..

fee